[PFS2] 1-09/1-23 Star Crossed Voyages / Star Crossed Court (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

Mindartis speaks his mind about taxes and tariffs and offers suggestions on how both parties can profit from the establishment of trade.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 So close. Let me use a HP for reroll

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Ooh! Nice

"Of course" notes Slipp. "If the taxes were too high, this would reduce traffic, and possibly actually reduce the total tax take, as well as the happiness of your people."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
They smile. "In trade, surely everyone should share in the profits. Taxes are fine, so long as they are reasonable."

HP diplomacy reroll: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

I would like to use Cognitive mutagen, I have no other skill than legal lore again, so I would liek to use tha bonus, and knowing pbp we will not use those items otherwise ;)

Tharpe gets the bottle and drinks it all up

"I was expecting more kick, but that would have to do"

Legal lore, DC21, level bump, mutagen: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 21

"Respected Sirs and Madams, I once again would like to raise certain aspect. The prior agreement that we established should be respected does not allow to pu ttariffs and taxes in place without altering said agreement. And that has to be approved by both parties, which we can't do. Such steep fees would kill the trade, and instead to allow us to florish, we will take a step back instead of forwards. The paragraph 5 section 3 sub-section bi clerly states: 'that the purpose ...'"

Storg's hireling is adept at navigating ancient tax laws, and points out some key points that the iruxi have missed.

Mindartis and Slipp takes the economics approach, saying how both parties still stand to make a substantial amount of money.

Tharpe uses Legal jargon to push forward the deal, by smoothing out any misconceptions.

You've got enough points that even with a Critical Failure from Aldonza, you'll advance.

--Round 1 (Deception, Legal Lore, Mercantile Lore, Society)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: Society (Success)
Mindartis: unattmpted (Failure)
Slipp: unattempted (Failure)
Storg: Society (Success)
Tharpe: Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 2 (Account Lore, Deception, Diplomacy, Legal Lore)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: unattempted (Failure)
Mindartis: Diplomacy (Critical Success)
Slipp: Diplomacy (Success)
Storg: Diplomacy (Success)
Tharpe: Legal Lore, penalty (Success)

ROUND 3: WE TRADE WITH DROON

Opponents of the trade deal argue that Ekkeshikaar is dependent upon Droon, a much larger empire to the South, for many resources. They worry that this trade deal might upset Droon and worsen relations with them, resulting in worse overall economic conditions for Ekkeshikaar.

Usable Skills: Diplomacy, Intimidation, Mercantile Lore, Society, or Warfare Lore.
Special: If the PCs successfully convinced Kesstraka to attend the hearing, they receive one additional Influence Point.

Kesstraka interjects, relaying some of the stories that the Pathfinders had shared with her earlier: Slipp's tune from the First World, Storg's willingness to help Vidrian, Mialee's origin story, Aldonza's family struggles, Tharpe's striving to be better, and Apoc's distant-distant-distant home.

"The Pathfinder Society is inclusive," she explains. "I'm sure they will find a way to make friends with Droon as well."

"That may be true," the iruxi weigh, "But we'd still like to hear from them themselves."

--Round 3 (Diplomacy, Intimidation, Mercantile Lore, Society, or Warfare Lore)
Special Bonus: Kesstraka (automatic Success)
Aldonza
Apoc
Mindartis
Slipp
Storg
Tharpe

"Fear.." says Slipp, their eyes blazing with almost-real flames.

"You fear the unknown? Really? Everything I had heard about you people told us you stood up to your enemies and feared naught but the judgement of your gods. Though sometimes fear is wise."

intimidate: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Happy to burn a spell for a bonus here, using my bloodline if you will allow that.

"Droon will also benefit. You will be able to purchase goods to sell on to them, making the profit of a middleman."

"International economics is not a zero-sum game. I am certain Droon will find that trade between Ekkeshikaar and Vidrian does not mean less for Droon."

DC 21 Society: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Apoc rises "What energy and good will we put out into the cosmos makes a circle around, encompassing us all, bound by the same forces" his obscurity...

Society (Trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

...may have the correct tone to invite agreement?

”Plus, Droon can get in on that sweet, sweet trade action themselves!”, Aldonza says brightly.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Mindartis joins the others in convincing the council that every neighboring nation will benefit from the trade establishment.

Intimidation, lvl bump: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26

Tharpe points out that current trade partners cannot dictate who Iruxis trade with, and they should make a firm stand.

Slipp and Tharpe teach the iruxi how to push back when threatened, and Apoc and Storg point out the benefits of trade with multiple partners. Storg and Apoc, as you both used Society in Round 1, you'll take a -1 circumstance penalty. This doesn't change the outcome. Aldonza and Mindartis smooth things over. Mindartis, as you've used Diplomacy in Round 2, you'll also take a penalty in Round 3. Again, doesn't change the outcome.

--Round 1 (Deception, Legal Lore, Mercantile Lore, Society)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: DC 20 Society (Success)
Mindartis: unattmpted (Failure)
Slipp: unattempted (Failure)
Storg: DC 20 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 2 (Account Lore, Deception, Diplomacy, Legal Lore)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: unattempted (Failure)
Mindartis: DC 20 Diplomacy (Critical Success)
Slipp: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Tharpe: DC 21 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 3 (Diplomacy, Intimidation, Mercantile Lore, Society, or Warfare Lore)
Special Bonus: Kesstraka (automatic Success)
Aldonza: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Apoc: DC 21 Society (Success)
Mindartis: DC 21 Diplomacy (Failure)
Slipp: DC 20 Intimidate (Failure)
Storg: DC 21 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Intimidate (Critical Success)

ROUND 4: WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT WE WANT?

The iruxi point out that much of what they used to receive from the people of Vidrian years ago is of little value to the iruxi now. They point out that Ekkeshikaar wants for little and has thrived without any assistance from up north. They ask what exactly Vidrian has to offer them that they would want.

Usable Skills: Deception, Diplomacy, Nature, Society, or any Lore skill related to a potential export (including but not limited to Fishing Lore, Herbalism Lore, Mercantile Lore, or Mining Lore).
Special: none

--Round 4
Aldonza
Apoc
Mindartis
Slipp
Storg
Tharpe

”Exactly! You don’t know, do you?”, Aldonza retorts. ”So much time has passed, they could have whole new industries. Silver embroidery? Seedless pomegranates? Anything is possible, but only one way to be sure!”

Deception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

"The forests and jungles around here are bountiful." agrees Slipp. "But what of knowledge, and manufactured goods?" they add.

"And while your jungles are beautiful, there are medicinal herbs that grow in other places. Woods that have different beauties. People don't always want the 'same' for ever. Nature gives differing beauties in differing places. Why limit yourself? That is one of the reasons I travel the world. To see...different things."

nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Mindartis joins Slipp in advocating the bountiful resources the surrounding forests and jungles can provide.

Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Storg discusses a plant that Vidrian can sell called the cannon-wielding fly trap, which can be used to curtail an invasive insect species known as the cannon-wielding fly.

Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Hero Point
Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Apoc rises "Anything you have not already cultivated, you can learn from others how to. All stars are born, but some collide into one another, combining energies in new ways"

Nature (Expert): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Will Hero Point a CF only

"Seedless pomegranates?!" The rumor quickly spreads, and Aldonza finds herself fielding far more questions about it than she anticipated.

Slipp, Mindartis, Storg, and Apoc all spend time describing new uses for the iruxi's natural resources, as well as uses for other natural resources that may be of use to the iruxi.

I'm moving on without Tharpe, just because you've got four Successes so he doesn't need to attempt it.

--Round 1 (Deception, Legal Lore, Mercantile Lore, Society)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: DC 20 Society (Success)
Mindartis: unattmpted (Failure)
Slipp: unattempted (Failure)
Storg: DC 20 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 2 (Account Lore, Deception, Diplomacy, Legal Lore)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: unattempted (Failure)
Mindartis: DC 20 Diplomacy (Critical Success)
Slipp: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Tharpe: DC 21 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 3 (Diplomacy, Intimidation, Mercantile Lore, Society, or Warfare Lore)
Special Bonus: Kesstraka (automatic Success)
Aldonza: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Apoc: DC 21 Society (Success)
Mindartis: DC 21 Diplomacy (Failure)
Slipp: DC 20 Intimidate (Failure)
Storg: DC 21 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Intimidate (Critical Success)

--Round 4 (Deception, Diplomacy, Nature, Society, or any Lore skill related to a potential export)
Aldonza: DC 20 Deception (Success)
Apoc: DC 20 Nature (Failure)
Mindartis: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Slipp: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Tharpe: unattempted (Failure)

ROUND 5: YOU DON’T KNOW THE STARS

Opponents jump on Apoc's argument about the stars, and argue that the Pathfinders do not understand the signs and portents of astrology and other divinations, and that if they lack that basic understanding, how can they possibly be a mature or advanced enough civilization to be worth trading with?

Usable Skills: Academia Lore, Deception, Diplomacy, Fortune Telling Lore, Nature, Occultism, or Sailing Lore
Special: If the Pathfinders successfully convinced Lashweather to attend the hearing, they receive one additional Success.

Lashweather explains that the Pathfinders may not have an inherent knowledge of iruxi astrology, but have proven themselves to be adept learners, and describes their actions at his observatory.

--Round 5
Special: Lashweather (automatic Success)
Aldonza
Apoc
Mindartis
Slipp
Storg
Tharpe

”I’m sorry, I’m just an ignorant, starless outsider”, says Aldonza, ”but this is about trading with Vidrian, not us, isn’t it?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Storg drinks the second cognitive mutagen.

Storg discusses the stars that were in the sky last night and their meaning, as a demonstration that the Pathfinders do know the stars.

Occultism: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24

"Do any of us really know as much as we think? No! We rely on collective knowledge... another benefit of trading. While I cannot read the stars as you, I could ask an expert for help. And by trading, there are additional experts you too could ask for assistance."

diplomacy DC21: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Nature, level bump DC20: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18

"You know, Seedless pomegranates are something within the reach. You need to start mixing the types of pomegranates until you cultivate one without the seeds, it may be good for the babies and be successful in cooking sophisticated dishes. "

Tharpe rumbles about agriculture which has very little to do with trade agreements

Nature (Expert): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Hero Point
Nature (Expert): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

"The firmament above is ancient. Patient. We observe only now, from here, what has already long ago come to pass. Teaching us how to conduct ourselves. It is very terrestrial to think of different civilizations as competing needlessly"

Apoc reminds them of their celestial duty

--Round 1 (Deception, Legal Lore, Mercantile Lore, Society)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: DC 20 Society (Success)
Mindartis: unattmpted (Failure)
Slipp: unattempted (Failure)
Storg: DC 20 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 2 (Account Lore, Deception, Diplomacy, Legal Lore)
Special Bonus: Recovered documents (automatic Success)
Aldonza: unattempted (Failure)
Apoc: unattempted (Failure)
Mindartis: DC 20 Diplomacy (Critical Success)
Slipp: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Tharpe: DC 21 Legal Lore (Success)

--Round 3 (Diplomacy, Intimidation, Mercantile Lore, Society, or Warfare Lore)
Special Bonus: Kesstraka (automatic Success)
Aldonza: DC 20 Diplomacy (Success)
Apoc: DC 21 Society (Success)
Mindartis: DC 21 Diplomacy (Failure)
Slipp: DC 20 Intimidate (Failure)
Storg: DC 21 Society (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Intimidate (Critical Success)

--Round 4 (Deception, Diplomacy, Nature, Society, or any Lore skill related to a potential export)
Aldonza: DC 20 Deception (Success)
Apoc: DC 20 Nature (Failure)
Mindartis: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Slipp: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Nature (Success)
Tharpe: unattempted (Failure)

--Round 5
Special: Lashweather (automatic Success)
Aldonza: DC 21 Diplomacy (Failure)
Apoc: DC 21 Nature (Success)
Mindartis: unattempted (Failure)
Slipp: DC 21 Diplomacy (Success)
Storg: DC 20 Occultism (Success)
Tharpe: DC 20 Nature (Failure)

The council takes all the arguments into consideration and then calls for a recess.

The negotiations come to a close, and the Council of Stars takes a vote as to whether or not to enact the trade agreement as it has been presented, which, surprisingly, they do not.

Emerging from the closed doors, the chairperson stands in front of the assembled guests, and announces that the proposed trade agreement was insufficient ... so instead, the Council drew up an even more expansive agreement, one that is even more generous to Vidrian, and ratified that instead.

"I trust this will meet with your agreement," they smirk. "The astrologers have known there would be an auspicious convergence in the heavens, and now we fully understand why."

--End of Scenario!

"Ah, it's good to be back at the Lodge. Time to make some more scrolls."

Day 1: Continue Crafting 4x scroll of invisibility
Day 2: Begin Crafting 4xscroll of revealing light (48 gp)
Crafting (Specialty Crafting): 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 = 35; Critical Success
Total cost = 48 / 2 = 24 gp left
Days 3-8: 24 - 6*2.5 = 9 gp left

Learn a Spell: scatter scree
DC 15 Arcana: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24; Success

There is a blink.

Twinkle in the sky.

A star.

And Apoc is no more…